Anorexia/Eating Disorders/I want to be myself again!

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 1/5/2011


Question
Hello, I don't know where to start so here goes nothing. I am a 17 year old hs senior whos been struggling with eating issues for about six months. Im 5'2 and I think I weigh 98 pounds or less because my inner thighs dont touch each other anymore. Anyways, it started in summer vacation when I went on a diet and one day I decided to count my calories. I thought I was so fat so by looking at some websites I figured that I should start eating 900 calories a day. I did and I immediately saw results, I was so happy becuse when I was younger I was always the skinniest  girl and now i kept getting comments by everyone that I was gaining weight and it really got to me. I seriously thought it was a good idea and i planned to stop at 104 but when i got there i still felt fat. Then i decided to get to 750 calories and i thought i didnt have an ed because only seriously skinny people had that.  Well im not sure but I recently started throwing up and i havent had a period in 7 months. I really wanna stop because im miserable eating only 500 calories a day , how do I start to recover myself again without relapsing?

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Martha,

I'm so glad you wrote.  You have just described a perfect way to get on the road to anorexia and bulimia.  Did you know that when people weigh 65 pounds, they still think of themselves as too fat?  This is why we cannot trust our own eyes to judge our body size.

Body distortion is something that develops right along with the food related behaviors.  If you haven't had a period in  7 months, things are quite serious for you.  How often are you purging?
Do you feel comfortable talking with your mom or another adult you really trust?

You need to get to the doctor and get a complete physical.  With the loss of your period, you're just starting a very long list of medical consequences as a result of your disorder.  Then you need to find a therapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders.  You have not had this too long so now is the time to get well -- you can still be thin and be well!

Please let me know how you do.

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you so much. I have recently talked to my mother about and I am happy to let you know I am slowly regaining my life. Although I do have my bad days I know I have someone to talk to.


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Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

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